Jane C. Coleman

Jane Coleman, of Mattapoisett, MA and Boston's Back Bay, died early Sunday morning, July 19, 2026, in the same way that she lived - with grace, strength, a quiet faith, and a singular devotion to the well-being and continued happiness of her family and friends, particularly, the love of her life, Cornelius (Connie) Coleman. She was at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Jane was born in Everett, Massachusetts. She was raised principally by her mother (who worked outside the home as a professional wedding dress seamstress after her husband died) and her proud Norwegian grandmother, amidst her many boisterous aunts, uncles, and cousins. From her mother and grandmother, Jane inherited a strong will and can-do approach to everything she did. Jane graduated from Melrose High School in 1958. Throughout her life, she remained close to her high school friends, including Harriet Sesen, Joan Brennan Anderson, Jayne Wentworth Hall, and Nancy Pomeroy Brennan. She particularly loved seeing Harriet in the front row of the Boston Pops concert each July 4th.

In 1960, at the University of Massachusetts, Jane met and fell in love with Connie. Their first date was on his birthday. They were married in November of 1961and together built a life full of joy that started in Springfield MA and wound through Longmeadow MA, Wellesley MA, Arlington VA, Omaha NE, Mercer Island WA, Belvedere CA, Pittsburg PA, and Summit NJ, with four children arriving along the way. They lived in Summit for over 23 years, establishing many lifelong friendships. In 2000, Con and Jane returned to Boston to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

In 1981, with her oldest child headed to college and her youngest child headed to kindergarten, Jane decided to put her years of buying, remodeling, and selling the family's many homes to good use by obtaining a real estate license. She built her new real estate career in Summit, NJ with the same energy and genuine love of people that had made her family's journey all around the country always seamless. Jane sold real estate in Summit and environs for over 20 years, as a broker first for Schlott Realtors and then for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. She was frequently her company's number one real estate agent in the state and was known for her tenacity and excellent business sense, as well as for her graciousness and strong code of fairness. Through her personal example, Jane taught her children the importance of cheerful hard work and organization and an enthusiasm for building relationships with the many interesting and diverse people they would have the privilege to meet. Her heart made room for everyone she came across.

One constant of Jane and Connie's geographically adventurous path has been Mattapoisett, MA. Jane first came to Mattapoisett in 1959 with her UMass freshman year roommate, Jean Alden. In 1967, Connie and Jane rented a tiny cottage at the very end of Pease's Point and fell in love with the spot. Except for years out west, they returned to Mattapoisett each summer, ultimately building a home of their own in 1987. Mattapoisett has been a special gathering spot for the family for decades, first for Jane and Connie and their growing family and soon also for Jane's parents, Connie's parents, Connie's siblings, cousins and their families, and ultimately for many members of their extended family. Jane and Connie spent increasing amounts of time at their home in Mattapoisett starting in 2000 and were so appreciative of their many wonderful neighbors and friends, including at the Bay Club, where they were charter members. This August, as in nearly every August for the last five decades, the family will again descend on Mattapoisett and celebrate all being together.

Jane is survived by her beloved husband of almost 65 years, Cornelius J. Coleman (Mattapoisett and Boston, MA), her four children -- Debb Coleman Diggins (Tim Diggins) (Boston, MA), Elizabeth Coleman (Mattapoisett, MA), Jennifer Coleman Murphy (Matt Murphy) (Hingham, MA), and John Coleman (Katherine Shafer Coleman) (Chevy Chase, MD), her seven grandchildren - Caroline and Luke Diggins, Christopher and Catherine Murphy, and Georgiana, Margaret, and Johnny Coleman, her cousins, and many treasured in-laws and friends.

A Mass celebrating Jane's life will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11 am at St. Gabriel's Church, Marion, MA. In lieu of flowers, Jane's family suggests that gifts be made to Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity or other charities dedicated to building opportunity and community for everybody.